Collar support

ABSTRACT

A method for applying pressure to a person&#39;s body includes the steps of: (a) positioning a collar such that, (i) the appendage axially extends into and out of the collar on opposite axial ends of the collar, and (ii) a first collar portion surrounds at least a first side of a person&#39;s body and a second collar portion surrounds at least a second, opposite side of the person&#39;s body; and (b) drawing together the first collar portion and the second collar portion using a tensioning system such that a portion of the person&#39;s body is compressed between the first collar portion and the second collar portion. The tensioning system includes a rotary closure device operable to selectively draw together the first collar portion and the second collar portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/187,590, pending, which '590 application published as US 2006/0020237and which '590 application is a continuation-in-part patent applicationof each of U.S. design patent application Ser. No. 29/209,971, filedJul. 22, 2004, now U.S. design Pat. No. 519,637, and U.S. design patentapplication Ser. No. 29/209,987, filed Jul. 22, 2004, now U.S. designPat. No. 521,644, and which '590 application is a nonprovisional patentapplication of, and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) to, each of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.60/590,940, filed Jul. 22, 2004, expired, and U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/590,947, filed Jul. 22, 2004, expired. Each ofthese patent applications, patents, and patent application publicationis incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Life expectancies are rising and diverse athletic activities arebecoming increasingly available to people of all ages. Accordingly, thenumber of people suffering current minor injuries, the number of peopleliving with chronic joint ailments, and the number of people facing thepossibilities of sports-related injuries are ever increasing.

Many braces for disposition on an arm or leg are available to aid suchpeople. However, most available braces and joint-support accessories arecomplex, unattractive, and uncomfortable There are braces for preventingjoint motion or for maintaining a particular joint position. Typicalsuch braces, having hard-shell or rigid beam components, are nottypically conveniently adjusted with regard to forces and resultingpressures applied to an arm or leg and with regard to a comfortable fit.There also are braces for use in supporting active joint motion. Thesebraces generally include binding arrangements that tend to applycircumferential forces to an arm or leg and adversely affect blood flowand circulation.

A demand therefore is growing for one or more braces that improve uponthe braces currently available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention generally relates to an apparatus fordisposition on a person's body, such as an arm or leg. Moreparticularly, the first aspect of the invention relates to an apparatusfor circumferential disposition on an arm or leg and for selectivelyapplying thereto forces and resulting pressures. According to thisaspect, a first partial collar and second partial collar, togetherpreferably completely encircling an arm or leg, are drawn together by atensioning system such that opposing forces are thereby applied to thearm or leg.

In accordance with this and other aspects, the partial collars generallyare C-shaped, and each C-shaped partial collar may comprise arcuatesegments, polygonal segments, or both. Furthermore, as used herein,“C-shaped” is intended to encompass both “U-shaped” and other variationsand equivalents thereof, including the component shapes of the drawingsset forth herein.

In a feature of the first aspect, a tensioning system includes a rotarydevice and tensioning lines for controllably varying the forces appliedto the arm or leg. In one example, rotation of a handle or control knobof the rotary device causes the tensioning lines to retract and theforces of the partial collars engaging the appendage to be increased.

In an exemplary construction related to the first aspect of theinvention, end portions of one partial collar are disposed between endportion of the other partial collar and the arm or leg. Optionallywithin that construction, one of the partial collars has conduits orchannels for receiving end portions of the other partial collar.

Partial collars optionally apply pressure to selective areas of an armor leg in conjunction with, or by way of, pressure applicators. In somevariations, pressure applicators generally apply pressure within marginsof the partial collars. In other variations, pressure applicators areattached to outriggers that extend beyond margins of the partialcollars.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a brace for disposition on anarm or leg. More particularly, an inventive brace includes a firstclamping component and a second clamping component that, together,preferably circumferentially surround the arm or leg when the braceworn. Tensional forces draw the clamping components toward one anotherand thereby apply directionally opposing forces to the arm or leg.

A third aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus for dispositionon an arm or leg. More particularly, an inventive apparatus according tothis aspect of the invention includes a collar for encircling anappendage. The apparatus further includes a rotary device having ahousing, a rotatable control knob, and a line depending from thehousing. When the rotatable control knob is rotated, the line ispartially drawn into the housing, whereby a force applied to the arm orleg encircled by the apparatus is increased.

Additional aspects of the present invention relate to methods associatedwith the aforementioned aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention, as well as one or moreembodiments of the present invention, are disclosed with reference tothe accompanying drawings which are briefly described below, wherein thesame elements are referred to with the same reference numerals, andwherein various elements are not necessarily shown in conformance to anyparticular absolute or relative scale.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is an environmental perspective view showing the embodiment ofFIG. 1 disposed as an elbow brace on an arm, and the embodiment of FIG.6 disposed as a shoulder brace on the arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodimentdiscussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be partof a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention.Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrativepurposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the presentinvention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations,modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosedby the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of thepresent invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention,which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded thepresent invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitationfound herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theappended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein-as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term-differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Turning now to the figures, a first embodiment of the invention is shownin FIGS. 1-5. An apparatus 10 for circumferential disposition on anappendage such as an arm or leg comprises a first partial collar 12, asecond partial collar 14, and a tensioning system 16 (FIG. 5). The firstpartial collar 12 and second partial collar 14 are each adapted forpartially encircling an appendage such that together they completelyencircle an appendage when the apparatus 10 is disposed on theappendage. Though other embodiments of the invention are adapted fordisposition on other areas of other appendages, the first embodiment ofthe invention, namely the apparatus 10, is particularly adapted fordisposition on an arm. For example, in FIG. 11 the apparatus 10 isdisposed on an arm beyond the elbow. In this disposition, the apparatus10 is nominally referred to as an elbow brace.

The tensioning system 16 (FIG. 5) draws together the first partialcollar 12 and second partial collar 14. When the apparatus 10 isdisposed on an appendage as shown in FIG. 11, the first partial collar12 and second partial collar 14 are drawn together by the tensioningsystem (FIG. 5) and respective forces are thereby applied to theappendage by the partial collars. In particular, the first partialcollar 12 is capable of applying a first force 18 (FIG. 3) to a firstside of and appendage and the second partial collar 14 is capable ofapplying a second force 20 to a second side of the appendage, whereinthe first force 18 and second force 20, when applied, generally opposeone another.

The partial collars 12 and 14 are each generally rigid, or at leastsemirigid. Exemplary materials for their construction include, but arenot limited to: plastics, particularly moldable and injection-moldableplastics; Nylon 66; fiberglass; carbon and carbon composites;polycarbonate; polyoxymethylene; polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA);polyacetal; urea-formaldehyde; polystyrene; and vinyl polymers.

Together, particularly when drawn together by the tensioning system 16,the partial collars 12, 14 define a collar clamp that closes upon anappendage and applies the directionally opposing forces 18, 20. Thus,opposing forces are applied to opposing sides of an appendage and can beso applied, if desired, without any substantial circumferential forcesbeing applied about the appendage as a function of the rigidity of thepartial collars and/or use of pressure applicators. Whereascircumferential forces such as those of a tourniquet tend to interferewith blood circulation, the opposing forces 18, 20 applied by theapparatus 10 allow blood flow through an appendage encircled by theapparatus while still effecting side-to-side tissue compression of theappendage. Thus, the inventive coapting apparatus 10 provides, amongother things, benefits that include: deflection of muscle forces;functional shortening of muscle length; and the maintenance ofneurovascular channels.

The tensioning system 16 (FIG. 5) comprises a device 22 for controllablyvarying the forces applied to an appendage encircled by the apparatus10. In particular, a rotatable control knob 24 depends from the device22 for grasping and rotation thereof by a wearer or user of theapparatus 10. Upon rotation of the rotatable control knob 24 in a firstrotational direction 26 (FIGS. 1-2), the directionally opposing forces18, 20 (FIG. 3) applied to an appendage encircled by the apparatus 10are increased. In particular, the forces are increased by the drawingtogether of the first and second partial collars 12, 14 upon rotation ofthe rotatable control knob 24 in the first rotational direction 26. Itshould be understood that, while the first rotational direction 26 isillustrated as clockwise in FIGS. 1-2, the descriptions herein similarlymay relate to counterclockwise rotations as well.

Furthermore, by pressing of the rotatable control knob 24, thedirectionally opposing forces 18, 20 applied to an appendage aredecreased or are entirely terminated. Thus, in the first embodiment ofthe invention, the apparatus 10 closes upon rotation of the rotatablecontrol knob and tends to spring back open upon pressing of the controlknob. The apparatus 10 closes in that the second partial collar 14 movesrelative to the first partial collar 12 in a first direction 30,thereby, increasing the forces 18, 20 (FIG. 3) when the apparatus isclamped in engagement with an appendage. The apparatus opens in that thesecond partial collar 14 moves relative to the first partial collar 12in a second direction 32, thereby decreasing the forces 18, 20 when theapparatus is tightly clamped in engagement with an appendage.

In another embodiment of the invention, not illustrated, a coaptingshell encircling an appendage closes upon rotation of a rotatablecontrol knob in one rotational direction and opens upon rotation of therotatable control knob in an opposite rotational direction.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, not illustrated, a coaptingbrace for encircling an appendage and applying forces thereto appliesincreasing forces upon rotation of a control knob and releases theforces upon pulling of the knob outwardly from the brace. It should beapparent that the present invention has many embodiments and thedescriptions herein of particular tensioning systems and control devicesare provided as examples and are not to be construed as limitations ofthe invention.

Nonetheless, in order to provide detailed descriptions of one or moreparticular embodiments, the tensioning system 16, as shown in theexploded view of FIG. 5, comprises the rotary device 22, a first lineportion 28 depending from the rotary device, and a second line portion30 depending from the rotary device. Upon rotation of the rotatablecontrol knob 24 in the first rotational direction 26 (FIG. 1), thetensioning lines are retracted and the line portions 28, 30 areretracted and shorten. The first and second partial collars are therebydrawn together, thereby closing the apparatus 10 (FIG. 3) and increasingforces applied to an appendage. Upon pressing of the rotatable controlknob 24, the tensioning lines are mechanically released and the lineportions 28, 30 tend to lengthen. The apparatus 10 (FIG. 3) is therebyopened and forces applied to an appendage are thereby decreased.

An exemplary releasable and adjustable rotary device comprises a housingwithin which are incrementally drawn multiple lines upon selectiverotation of a control knob. Such an exemplary rotary device isdisclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,177 to Schoch, titled“Rotary Closure for a Sports Shoe, Especially a Ski Shoe,” which patentis hereby incorporated herein by reference.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the first line portion and second lineportion depend from the rotary device 22 and extend, in oppositedirections, partially circumferentially about the first partial collar12. Guide channels 35 (FIG. 5) and 34 (FIG. 1) are defined by the firstpartial collar 12 for receiving and guiding respective line portions 28,30 and maintaining the courses of the lines within margins theapparatus. Each line portion 28, 30 is furthermore attached at aterminus thereof to the second partial collar. As the line portions 28,30 are drawn partially into the housing of the rotary device 22 uponrotation of the rotatable control knob 24, the first and second partialcollars are thereby drawn together.

In another embodiment of the invention (not illustrated), first andsecond line portions that depend from a rotary device are opposing endsof a single line. The rotary device and single line completely encirclean apparatus that comprises two coapting partial collars. When theapparatus is circumferentially disposed on an appendage, the rotarydevice and continuous line completely encircle the appendage.

In the first embodiment of the invention each line portion 28, 30comprises a flexible and inextensible line. The line portions 28, 30 areillustrated in FIGS. 1-5 as monofilament lines though these descriptionsrelate as well to multifilament lines and many types of elongateflexible lines having various constructions and formed of variousmaterials having respective tensile and flexible properties. Exemplaryconstructions include, but are not limited to: monofilament lines,multifilament lines, wound lines, woven lines, braided lines, layeredlines, strings, ropes, cords, threads, twines, intertwined strands,chains, tethers, belts, bands, straps, and combinations thereof.Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to: natural fibersincluding hemp, cotton, linen, hide, gut, and sinew; synthetic andplastic fibers such as nylon, polyethylene, and fluorocarbon; linesformed of metals such as wires and cables, in particular wound steelcables; and, combinations thereof.

As shown in FIG. 5, each partial collar 12, 14 comprises an open,arcuate C-shape. The first partial collar 12 comprises opposing endportions 12 a, 12 b. Similarly, the second partial collar 14 comprisesopposing end portions 14 a, 14 b. When the apparatus is assembled asshown in FIG. 3, opposing end portions 14 a, 14 b of the second partialcollar are disposed in the interior of the open C-shape of the firstpartial collar 12. Consequentially, when the apparatus 10 iscircumferentially disposed on an appendage, the opposing end portions 14a, 14 b of the second partial collar 14 are disposed between theappendage and respective opposing end portions 12 a, 12 b of the firstpartial collar 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the apparatus10 is circumferentially disposed on an appendage, the end portion 14 bof the second partial collar 14 is disposed between the appendage andthe end portion 12 b of the first partial collar 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second partial collar 14 comprises a pair ofchannels or conduits 40, 42 for receiving respective end portions 12 a,12 b of the first partial collar 12. The conduits 40, 42 assist inmaintaining a coapting engagement of the first partial collar 12 andsecond partial collar 14. The conduits 40, 42 furthermore maintain therelative orientations of the partial collars. The opposing end portions12 a, 12 b pass freely within the respective conduits 40, 42 allowingrelative movement of the partial collars in closing and opening of theapparatus 10. For example, the end portion 12 a of the first partialcollar passes freely into the conduit 40 as the apparatus 10 closes bymovement of the second partial collar 14 relative to the first partialcollar 12 in the first direction 30.

As further shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus 10 comprises a pressureapplicator 46 attached to the first partial collar 12. When theapparatus is circumferentially disposed about an appendage, the pressureapplicator 46 applies pressure to a discrete area of the appendageaccording to the disposition of the apparatus. The pressure applicator,optionally somewhat flexible to allow mild deflection of the applicatorwhile applying pressure to an appendage, is constructed of a materialcapable of bearing a load and optionally allowing mild deflection.Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to: plastic;fiberglass; carbon and carbon composites; and spring steel. In the firstembodiment of the invention, the pressure applicator 46 comprises a leafspring 48 attached to the first partial collar. The pressure applicator46 is optionally padded to provide for comfort as it applies pressure toa discrete area of an appendage. The pressure applicator 46 isoptionally removable from the apparatus 10.

The first and second partial collars are each optionally padded forcomfort of the wearer of the apparatus 10. For example, a collar pad 50(FIG. 5) is adapted to nestle within the second partial collar 14 asshown in FIG. 1 for disposition between the second partial collar 14 andan appendage when the apparatus 10 is disposed on the appendage as shownin FIG. 11. The collar pad 50 preferably comprises soft, breathable, andwashable materials. Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to,natural and synthetic fabrics, pliable foams, elastic fabrics, neoprene,spandex, felt, natural and synthetic chamois, and various stretchableand pliable materials.

In the first embodiment of the invention, each partial collar defines arespective arcuate receiving area. For example, the second partialcollar 14 of the apparatus 10 defines an arcuate, cylindrically-concavereceiving area 14 c (FIG. 5) for receiving a side of an appendage. Theapparatus 10 is particularly illustrated for use as an elbow brace inFIG. 11. The arcuate receiving area of the second partial collarcomfortably receives, for example, the volar side of a forearm proximalan elbow as shown in FIG. 11.

Turning now to a second embodiment shown in various views in FIGS. 6-10,an apparatus 110 for circumferential disposition on an appendage such asan arm or leg comprises a first partial collar 112, a second partialcollar 114, and a tensioning system 116 (FIG. 10). The first partialcollar 112 and second partial collar 114 are each adapted for partiallyencircling an appendage such that together they completely encircle anappendage when the apparatus 110 is disposed on the appendage. Forexample, in FIG. 11 the apparatus 110 is disposed on an arm proximal ashoulder. In this disposition, the apparatus 110 is nominally referredto as a shoulder brace.

The tensioning system 116 (FIG. 10) draws together the first partialcollar 112 and second partial collar 114. When the apparatus 110 isdisposed on an appendage as shown in FIG. 11, the first partial collar112 and second partial collar 114 are drawn together by the tensioningsystem 116 (FIG. 10). Respective forces are thereby applied to theappendage by the partial collars. In particular, the first partialcollar 112 is capable of applying a first force 118 (FIG. 8) to a firstside of an appendage and the second partial collar 114 is capable ofapplying a second force 120 to a second side of the appendage. As thesecond side of the appendage is opposite the first side of theappendage, the first force 118 and second force 120, when applied,generally oppose each other.

The partial collars 112 and 114 are each generally rigid, or at leastsemirigid. Together, particularly when drawn together by the tensioningsystem 116 (FIG. 10), the partial collars 112 and 114 define a collarclamp that closes upon an appendage and applies the directionallyopposing forces 118, 120 (FIG. 8). Thus, opposing forces are applied toopposing sides of an appendage and can be so applied, if desired,without any considerable circumferential forces being applied about theappendage as a function of the rigidity of the partial collars and/oruse of pressure applicators. Generally applying only opposing forces118, 120 by the apparatus 110 allows blood flow through the appendageeven though it is surrounded by the apparatus and even thoughside-to-side tissue compression is applied to the appendage. Thus theinventive apparatus 110 provides, among other things, benefits thatinclude: deflection of muscle forces; functional shortening of musclelength; and the maintenance of neurovascular channels.

The apparatus 110 of FIGS. 6-10 bears many similarities to the apparatus10 of FIG. 1-5. Therefore, many of the descriptions herein relate toboth apparatus 10 and apparatus 110. However, in the interest ofproviding descriptions of the present invention that has manyembodiments, and in the interest of minimizing duplicative descriptions,the descriptions below relate particularly to features and benefits ofthe apparatus 110 that are generally not merely duplicative to those ofthe apparatus 10.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the second partial collar 114 defines apolygonal concave receiving area 114 c for receiving a side of anappendage. The apparatus 110 is particularly illustrated for use as ashoulder brace in FIG. 11. The polygonal concave receiving area 114 c(FIG. 8) of the second partial collar 114 comfortably receives, forexample, the volar side of an upper arm just below the shoulder. Anarterial pressure point resides proximal this area of the arm. The rigidpartial collar 114, having planar facets defining the polygonal concavereceiving area 114 c, is capable of applying the force 120 (FIG. 8)while minimizing the restriction of blood flow in the arm, and isfurthermore capable of allowing comfortable swinging movement of the armrelative to the nearby rib-cage of the torso.

For further example, while the pressure applicator 46 of FIGS. 1-5 doesnot generally extend significantly beyond margins of the partial collar12, other embodiments of pressure applicators contact areas ofappendages beyond margins of the partial collars. For example, anoutrigger 146 for contacting multiple areas of an appendage is shown inFIGS. 6-10. When attached to the first partial collar 112 as illustratedin FIGS. 6-9, the outrigger 146 contacts and applies pressure tomultiple areas of an appendage (FIG. 11) on which the apparatus 110 iscircumferentially disposed. As shown in FIG. 10, the outrigger 146comprises a base 54, multiple members 56 attached to the base, andpressure applicators 58 respectively attached to the members 56.

The outrigger 146 optionally comprises a rigid unitary constructionformed, for example, of hard plastic. Alternatively, the members 56 ofthe outrigger 146 are optionally spring loaded or are articulated bycables. The members 56 may be rigid and fixed, or may be formable. Themembers may be positionable like jointed fingers. Furthermore, themembers may be removable from the base 54 such that they may be replacedor such that a variable number of members depends from the base.

With regard to each of the pressure applicators described herein, forexample pressure applicator 46 of FIGS. 1-5 and pressure applicators 146of FIGS. 6-10, a pressure applicator according to the present inventionoptionally comprises an active cell (not illustrated). An “active cell”as used herein relates to an electrical, mechanical, orelectromechanical device that, in conjunction with pressure applied by apressure applicator, applies stimulus or treatment. For example, oneembodiment of an active cell applies vibratory waves for massaging orotherwise stimulating tissue and vessels. In another example, an activecell applies acoustic waves. In another example, an active cell applieselectrical stimulation or conveys electrical current. In yet anotherexample, an active cell applies heating, cooling, or thermal-cyclingtherapy.

1. A method for applying pressure to a person's body, comprising thesteps of: (a) positioning a collar such that, (i) the appendage axiallyextends into and out of the collar on opposite axial ends of the collar,and (ii) a first collar portion surrounds at least a first side of aperson's body and a second collar portion surrounds at least a second,opposite side of the person's body; and (b) drawing together the firstcollar portion and the second collar portion using a tensioning systemsuch that a portion of the person's body is compressed between the firstcollar portion and the second collar portion; (c) wherein the tensioningsystem includes a rotary closure device operable to selectively drawtogether the first collar portion and the second collar portion.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said step (a) further includes positioningthe collar such that the collar does not span a joint of the person'sbody.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the appendage is an arm of theperson.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the appendage is a leg of theperson.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotary device is attachedto one of the collar portions and wherein the tensioning system includestensioning lines that extend from the rotary device to the other collarportions.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein performance of said step (b)effects side-to-side tissue compression of the appendage but does notresult in circumferential forces being applied about the appendage so asto interfere with blood circulation through the appendage.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein the first and second collar portions are at leastsemirigid and have limited pressuring engagement with the appendage whenthe first and second collar portions are drawn together, the first andsecond collar portions engaging and applying substantial pressure to theappendage only proximate respective middle portions of the first andsecond collar portions.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising thestep of selectively applying pressure to the appendage using anoutrigger that is attached to the first collar portion, the outriggerincluding a plurality of pressure applicators extending beyond oppositesides of the first collar portion that engage areas of the person's bodythat would not otherwise be covered by the collar.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said step (b) comprises applying pressure to a portionof the person's body using a pressure applicator that is attached to thefirst collar portion and that engages the appendage, the pressureapplicator including a leaf spring.
 10. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid step (a) comprises positioning the collar on opposite sides of aperson's leg.